From Tragedy to Apocalypse in American Literature: Reading to Make Sense of Our Endings

From Tragedy to Apocalypse in American Literature: Reading to Make Sense of Our Endings argues that imaginative literature is essential to comprehending contemporary threats to the survival of the human species and the preservation of our humanity, and provides readings of postwar American works by Robert Lowell, Wallace Stevens, Cormac McCarthy, and Norman Maclean to educate us to a new ground of sense—the apocalyptic sublime—and the need for an unending effort to comprehend what it means to live a human life against this inhuman background.

Format: Hardback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2024
Publisher: Lexington Books

From Tragedy to Apocalypse in American Literature: Reading to Make Sense of Our Endings (2017) by Atnip argues that imaginative literature is essential to comprehending contemporary threats to the survival of the human species and the preservation of our humanity. Atnip outlines a theory of reading which directs us to realities and imperatives that are ignored, denied, or distorted by dominant social conventions and habits of cognition. She then puts this theory into practice through readings of postwar American works by Robert Lowell, Wallace Stevens, Cormac McCarthy, and Norman Maclean. This book argues that these texts collectively educate us to a new ground of sense—the apocalyptic sublime—and the need for an unending effort to comprehend what it means to live a human life against this inhuman background.

Atnip's theory of reading directs us to realities and imperatives that are ignored, denied, or distorted by dominant social conventions and habits of cognition. She then puts this theory into practice through readings of postwar American works by Robert Lowell, Wallace Stevens, Cormac McCarthy, and Norman Maclean. This book argues that these texts collectively educate us to a new ground of sense—the apocalyptic sublime—and the need for an unending effort to comprehend what it means to live a human life against this inhuman background.

The book begins with a discussion of the apocalyptic sublime, which is a term coined by the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Nietzsche describes the apocalyptic sublime as a moment of intense awareness of the fragility and vulnerability of human existence, which can lead to a sense of awe, terror, and despair. Atnip argues that the apocalyptic sublime is a fundamental aspect of contemporary life and that it is essential to our understanding of the world.

Atnip then discusses the role of imaginative literature in addressing the apocalyptic sublime. She argues that imaginative literature can help us to confront the realities of our world and to develop a sense of empathy and compassion for others. She also argues that imaginative literature can help us to develop a sense of meaning and purpose in our lives.

The book then provides a detailed analysis of postwar American works by Robert Lowell, Wallace Stevens, Cormac McCarthy, and Norman Maclean. Atnip analyzes these works in terms of their themes, characters, and style. She also discusses the ways in which these works have influenced contemporary literature and culture.

One of the key themes of the book is the idea of the apocalyptic sublime. Atnip argues that the apocalyptic sublime is a fundamental aspect of contemporary life and that it is essential to our understanding of the world. She argues that the apocalyptic sublime can be experienced in a variety of ways, including through natural disasters, political upheaval, and social injustice.

Atnip also discusses the role of imagination in addressing the apocalyptic sublime. She argues that imagination can help us to confront the realities of our world and to develop a sense of empathy and compassion for others. She also argues that imagination can help us to develop a sense of meaning and purpose in our lives.

The book also provides a detailed analysis of the works of Robert Lowell, Wallace Stevens, Cormac McCarthy, and Norman Maclean. Atnip analyzes these works in terms of their themes, characters, and style. She also discusses the ways in which these works have influenced contemporary literature and culture.

One of the key themes of Robert Lowell's work is the idea of the apocalyptic sublime. Lowell's poetry is characterized by its intense focus on the natural world and its exploration of the human condition. Lowell's work often deals with themes of death, loss, and despair, and he uses his poetry to explore the ways in which these themes can be experienced in a variety of ways.

Wallace Stevens's work is characterized by its abstract and surrealist style. Stevens's poetry is often difficult to understand, but it is also deeply moving. Stevens's work often deals with themes of beauty, love, and the human condition, and he uses his poetry to explore the ways in which these themes can be experienced in a variety of ways.

Cormac McCarthy's work is characterized by its intense focus on the human condition and its exploration of the dark side of human nature. McCarthy's work often deals with themes of violence, greed, and corruption, and he uses his writing to explore the ways in which these themes can be experienced in a variety of ways.

Norman Maclean's work is characterized by its focus on the natural world and its exploration of the human condition. Maclean's work often deals with themes of loss, grief, and the search for meaning in life, and he uses his writing to explore the ways in which these themes can be experienced in a variety of ways.

In conclusion, From Tragedy to Apocalypse in American Literature: Reading to Make Sense of Our Endings (2017) by Atnip argues that imaginative literature is essential to comprehending contemporary threats to the survival of the human species and the preservation of our humanity. Atnip outlines a theory of reading which directs us to realities and imperatives that are ignored, denied, or distorted by dominant social conventions and habits of cognition. She then puts this theory into practice through readings of postwar American works by Robert Lowell, Wallace Stevens, Cormac McCarthy, and Norman Maclean. This book argues that these texts collectively educate us to a new ground of sense—the apocalyptic sublime—and the need for an unending effort to comprehend what it means to live a human life against this inhuman background.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666925586